The Duo Explains: LINEBUG - 'White Nights'
We catch up with Line and Christian of Danish duo LINEBUG to learn more about their single and hand drawn animated visuals for ‘White Nights’ which explores the themes of isolation and depression.
How did you come up with the idea to created an animated visual?
Animation can give you something quite extraordinary. I wanted the animation-method itself to be an extension of what the story in the video is about: a wrestle between the the light and dark aspects of reality. Of course real life is more nuanced, but to make a compelling story you sometimes need to get rid of some of the grey areas.
How does the video connect with the song?
To me the song is about longing to find a way out of your darkness. The "white nights", that she sings about, are happier times, getting your spirits back! But even the light can be deceitful. Sometimes you experience little glimpses of elation and happiness, and you think everything is going to be okay, but before you know it you're back in your cellar again. The real way out of your darkness almost never happens in a flash, it's a long, tough road.
Do you have any behind the scenes stories you could share with us?
The video behind the animation was shot in an unheated room in November. So Line's gripping portrayal of a woman longing for a lighter times might just in reality be a longing to come back under the sheets with a hot water bottle. Also she was kind of pissed at me because I forgot to download her favourite podcast for the long waiting-periods between takes. We'll call it method-acting!
Can you tell us about the ideas/themes/imagery used?
Well, I guess indigo-colored butterflies and red dresses are somewhat clichéd, but I kinda like strong symbols, as long as they are used sparingly and with some taste. The butterfly represents her spirit/better self, and the red dress symbolises action and freedom. Another interpretation of the whole story is to think of the character as an imprisoned princess in a castle, waiting for the "White Knights" (One is not enough for her, I guess) to free her from her captivity. The way she sings out of the window is very much like the classical portrayal of a damsel in distress. The "dragon", in this case, is her feeling of isolation and loneliness, and only a "White Knight" can rescue her. It's an old fashioned symbol and probably not fit for the new millennium.
Is there a message the video is trying to convey?
The story is an attempt to capture a part of the struggle that a depressed person experiences: the feeling of captivity, the longing for lighter times, the glimpses of hope that almost always get extinguished. In the end she gets out of bed, puts on her red dress and almost walks out of the door. But even darkness can be addictive, and I wanted to end the story on a hopeful but ambivalent notion, walking out of that door can be very difficult.
Interview by Karla Harris
LINEBUG upcoming Germany and Denmark tour dates:
06.02 - Lehmbruck Museum, Duisburg
07.07 - Wie Im Himmel, Düsseldorf
08.02 - Lichtung, Köln
09.02 - Reinighof, Bruchweiler-Bärenbach
11.02 - Einstein, Emden
12.02 - Weltempfänger Hostel, Köln
14.02 - Kultur Café M, Dohna
15.02 - Kunst und Kulturverein Wort und Klang, Zeitz
16.02 - Franzenhof, Pössneck
20.02 - Café Hahn, Fritzlar
21.02 - Kaffeeschuppen, Halle
22.02 - Zweistein, Wuppertal
23.02 - Castle Satzvey, Mechernich
24.02 - Mosaic, Düsseldorf
25.02 - Art House, Duisburg
26.02 - Vlierhof, Kleve
27.02 - Web End, Kaiserslautern
28.02 - Café Erika, München
29.02 - Kiss, Freiburg
28.05 - Islands Brygge Kulturhus (GEYSER), København